b'A mass rescue operation (MRO) is characterized byer nearby facility able to handle OSC duties. The per-FOGHORN FOCUS aneedforimmediateresponsetolargenumbersofson in charge of the first SAR resource to arrive at the personsindistresssuchthatcapabilitiesnormallyscene will normally assume the function of OSC until available to SAR authorities are inadequate. MROsthe SMC directs that the OSC function be transferred. occur less frequently than typical rescue efforts but haveConceivably, the OSC may have to assume SMC duties highpotentialconsequences.Flooding,earthquakes,and actually plan the search and/or rescue if the OSC terrorism, and large passenger aircraft or ship disastersbecomes aware of a distress situation directly and com-are examples of scenarios that may involve the needmunications cannot be established with an RCC. The for MROs. Extensive preparations and resources areOSC should be the most capable person available, tak-required to conduct MROs successfully. Such incidentsing into consideration SAR training, communications mightinvolvehundredsorthousandsofpersonsincapabilities and the length of time that the facility on distress in remote and hostile environments. A largewhich the OSC is aboard can stay in the search area. passengershipcollision,forexample,couldcallforFrequent changes in the OSC should be avoided.the rescue of thousands of passengers and crew in poor weather and sea conditions, with many of the survivorsWHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND having little ability to help themselves. Preparedness toTHE ROLE OF AN OSC?mount a large and rapid response would be critical toIfcalledupon,commercialvesselowners/operationsneedpreventing large-scale loss of lives. tohaveaclearunderstandingoftherolesandresponsibili-ties of an OSC.At the center of the response stands the on-scene coordina-tor (OSC). Acting as the field general in maritime incidents,ROLE OF AN OSCtheOSCmustquicklyassess,lead,andresolveanyproblems 1.Congratulations! You just becameunder extreme pressure. Whether managing a mass rescuethe OSC for an MRO.operation, oil spill, or maritime casualty, the OSC is at theFirst and foremost, the OSC is assigned and works directly operationalcenteroftheresponseandrecovery. for SMC. The SMC is the person directly responsible for the coordination of a particular SAR operation. During an MRO response, where large numbers of people requirerescue,themaritimerescuecoordinationcenterTheOSCactsasthetacticalcommanderatthescene, (RCC)coordinatingtheresponsewillcalluponallavail- managingtheavailableassetsrenderingtheassistance,per-ableresourcestoassistintheeffort.Foranylifesavingop- sonnel, equipment, and operations, on behalf of the SMC. eration, depending on the incident location, it is more thanTheIAMSARManual,VolumeIII(MobileFacilities) likelyacommercialvesselcanandwillbeaskedtoassist describes this coordination effort:andsubsequentlymaythefirstvesseltoarriveonscene.Thatbeingsaid,thefirstvesseltoarriveonscenecanbe When a SAR incident occurs, an SMC will normally be asked to initially assume the duties and responsibilities ofdesignated, within an RCC. The SMC will obtain SAR on scene coordinator. facilities,planSARoperations,andprovideoverallcoor-dination.TheSMCmayalsodesignateanOSCtoprovideWHAT IS AN ON-SCENE COORDINATOR? coordination at the scene to carry out the plans to locate TheIAMSARManual,VolumeIdescribestheandrescuesurvivors.Thefirstfacilitytoarriveinthevi-OSC position: cinity of the SAR incident should assume OSC duties and, if necessary, SMC duties, until an SMC has been designat-When two or more SAR facilities are working togethered, and retain OSC duties until the SMC is designated. For on the same mission, it is usually advantageous if onethemaritimeenvironment,shipmasterstypicallyperformpersonisassignedtocoordinatetheactivitiesofallthe OSC function due to ship endurance on scene unless participating facilities. The SMC [SAR Mission Co- morecapableSARRescueUnitsareavailable.ordinator] designates this OSC, who may be the person in charge of an SRU [search and rescue unit], ship, or2. Coordinate, coordinate, coordinateaircraft participating in a search, or someone at anoth- Maritime incidents often involve multiple stakeholders,FOGHORN 20'